Eliezer Sherbatov

Eliezer Sherbatov is an Israeli-Canadian former professional ice hockey player and current skills coach. He made history as the first Israeli to play in the Kontinental Hockey League and captained Israel's national team since 2019. Known for his electrifying stickhandling, Sherbatov's videos have gone viral multiple times, earning him a following that spans hockey fans and skill-development enthusiasts. As of 2026, he runs Sherbatov Elite and Académie Sherbatov, training the next generation in the art of puck control.

Sherbatov's playing career took him across Europe, from France's Magnus League to Kazakhstan, Slovakia, Poland, and Ukraine. He led Israel to a gold medal at the 2019 IIHF World Championship Division II Group IIB, taking home Best Forward honors. His resilience made headlines in 2022 when he escaped Ukraine during the Russian invasion, a story covered by major outlets worldwide. [edit]

Eliezer Sherbatov was born on October 9, 1991, in Rehovot, Israel, to parents who had emigrated from Moscow. The family moved to Laval, Quebec, when he was just a year old, driven by his father's dream that one of his sons would play like Montreal Canadiens legend Guy Lafleur. Growing up in Laval, Sherbatov absorbed Quebec's hockey culture from an early age.

He began his competitive career in the Quebec Midget AAA Hockey League with Laval-Bourassa Rousseau Sports. In the 2008–09 season, he ranked third in league scoring, winning a Midget AAA Quebec Championship and a Telus Cup Bronze Medal. At just 13, he became the youngest player ever to compete in the IIHF World U18 Championship Division III, representing Israel. These early experiences laid the foundation for a career defined by skill and determination. [edit]

Sherbatov turned professional in 2009. His international breakthrough came at the 2011 IIHF World Championship Division III, where he led the tournament in scoring and was named Best Forward with a +22 rating. After a season in France's Magnus League with the Bisons de Neuilly-sur-Marne, where he finished third in assists, he moved to Kazakhstan, playing for Beibarys Atyrau and Yertis Pavlodar, topping league rankings in points and assists.

He then made history as the first Israeli in the KHL, skating for HC Slovan Bratislava. In 2019, he was named captain of Israel's national team and led them to a gold medal at the IIHF World Championship Division II Group IIB, again earning Best Forward honors alongside top scorer and best +/- ratings. His 2020 signing with Oświęcim, Poland, sparked controversy due to the town's proximity to Auschwitz; Sherbatov defended it, saying he was playing for Holocaust victims. In 2022, he was playing in Druzhkivka, Donbas, when the invasion began; he narrowly escaped, documenting his journey for international media. After retiring in 2023, he returned to the ice in 2026, signing with Oswiecim with championship ambitions. [edit]

Sherbatov is celebrated for his elite stickhandling and offensive creativity, often described as a 'stickhandling sorcerer.' His playing style emphasizes skill and flair, making him a fan favorite in every league he played. Media portray him as a trailblazer, resilient survivor, and principled athlete, particularly after his Ukraine escape and his controversial Oświęcim signing. His coaching content is energetic and motivational, focusing on skill development and power skating, which resonates with young players and hockey enthusiasts worldwide. [edit]

Eliezer Sherbatov's fanbase is a loose, global network of hockey enthusiasts and aspiring players, drawn to his viral stickhandling videos and his journey from Israel to the world's rinks. There is no formal fandom name, and no organized fan clubs or coordinated campaigns. Instead, his supporters gather informally on TikTok, Instagram, and X, where they follow his tutorials and career moves. His escape from Ukraine in 2022 and his controversial signing in Oświęcim have sparked intense debate, but the community is united by a shared appreciation for his skill and perseverance.

In the grand scheme of global fame, iFANN's Global Fame Engine has evaluated Sherbatov, but as of August 2026, he does not hold a placement in the published rankings (Global Top 1,000 or any Top-100 scope list). This means he is not currently ranked among the world's most famous people, a status shared by many respected athletes in niche sports. His fame is real but concentrated, within hockey circles, he is a known figure, yet his reach does not extend to the level of mainstream celebrity that would secure a global ranking.

Despite the lack of a formal ranking, Sherbatov's influence is measurable in the devotion of his followers. They engage with his coaching content, share his story, and debate his choices, making him a significant figure in the hockey community. His fame, while not globally quantified, is deeply felt where it matters most: on the ice and in the hearts of those who love the game.[edit]

Sherbatov's stickhandling videos have gone viral multiple times, with Yahoo! Sports featuring his skills as early as 2012. He is trilingual, having grown up with Russian, Hebrew, and French. His family's immigration to Canada was inspired by a desire for him to play like Guy Lafleur. At 13, he was the youngest player ever at the IIHF World U18 Championship Division III. He narrowly escaped Ukraine in 2022, documenting his journey for international media. His coaching academy describes him as a 'stickhandling sorcerer and power skating virtuoso.'

A story fans still retell is his dramatic escape from Ukraine in 2022, when he described the terror of fleeing the Russian invasion, telling The Guardian: 'If you go on the train, you may die.' The episode turned him into a symbol of resilience. Another iconic moment was his 2020 signing with the team in Oświęcim, Poland, the town where Auschwitz-Birkenau stood, which sparked international backlash. Sherbatov defended his decision as a statement of Jewish perseverance, a story that continues to generate debate.[edit]

Sherbatov's parents emigrated from Moscow to Israel before his birth, then moved the family to Laval, Quebec, when he was a year old. His father's passion for hockey, particularly for the Montreal Canadiens and Guy Lafleur, shaped his upbringing. Details about siblings or his current household remain private, but his family's support has been a constant throughout his career. [edit]

Sherbatov is closely associated with the Israel national ice hockey team, which he has captained since 2019. He is also linked with Warrior Hockey, serving as a coach and athlete for the brand, and runs his own hockey development academies, Sherbatov Elite and Académie Sherbatov. [edit]

Public information about Eliezer Sherbatov's romantic life is scarce. He has kept his personal relationships out of the spotlight, with no credible reports of a current partner, marriage, or engagement as of 2026. His social media and public appearances focus entirely on hockey, coaching, and his professional endeavors. It appears he is single, though he may simply prefer to keep that part of his life private. [edit]

As of 2026, iFANN's editorial analysis puts Eliezer Sherbatov's net worth at $1 Million. His income stems from a professional hockey career that spanned leagues in France, Kazakhstan, Slovakia, Poland, and Ukraine, though salaries in these secondary European leagues are modest compared to the NHL. Since retiring from playing in 2023, he has focused on coaching and running hockey development programs, including Sherbatov Elite and Académie Sherbatov. These ventures, along with brand partnerships with Warrior Hockey and a significant social media presence, contribute to his earnings. His TikTok alone has over 80,000 followers, and his coaching clinics attract players seeking to improve their stickhandling and skating. While exact figures are private, his net worth reflects a successful transition from player to coach and entrepreneur.[edit]

Sherbatov's trophy case includes two IIHF World Championship gold medals (Division III in 2011 and Division II Group IIB in 2019), along with Best Forward and top scorer honors at both tournaments. He also won a Quebec Midget AAA Championship and a Telus Cup Bronze Medal during his junior career. [edit]